Multipole circuit breaker



Dec, 15, 1953 P. M. cHRls'rENsEN 2,562,948

MULTIPOLE CIRCUIT BREAKER Filed Aug. 24, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 DCC- 15, 1953 P. M. cHRlsTENsEN 2,652,948

MULTIPOLE CIRCUIT BREAKER Filed Aug. 24, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 E-ll IN VEN TOR. PA 0L M. CHR/5 E/vSf/v HTTORNEYS Patented Dec. 15, 1953 2,662,948 LTIPOLE CIRCUlT BREAKER Paul M Christensen. West Orense. N.- J assigner to Federal Electric. Products Company. Newark N .Ja acci-poration 0f Delaware Application August 24, 1950, Serial No. 181,223 33 Claims. (Cl.` O0- 116) This invention relates to multi-pole circuit breakers and to actuating and tripping devices therefor. More particularly, but without rcstriction, the invention is concerned with a multi,- pole circuit breaker which can be manually opened and closed and which is also opened automatically at all of the poles upon the occurrence of an overload in the circuit of any one of the poles.

In general, the individual circuit breaker mechanisms are of the type disclosed in U. S. Patents Nos. 2,174,669, 2,209,319, 2,209,352, 2,209,353, Re. No. 23,188 and the copending applications of Thomas M. Cole, Ser. No. 127,433, tiled November 15, 1949, and Ser. No, 184,749 filed September 14, 19.50, both assigned to the assignee hereof.

A multi-pole circuit breaker, which represents a fur-ther development of the multi-pole circuit breaker of the present invention, is claimed in the copending application, Serial No. 181,224, iiled simultaneously herewith, by myself and Alexander' R. Norden, as joint inventors, and assigned to the assignee of the subjectapplication.

The primary object of the present invention is the provision of a multi-.pole circuit breaker which is opened automatically at all of the poles upon the occurrence of an overload in the cirfcuit at any one of the poles and which is automatically reset. upon the tripping thereof, for 'manual movement to the closed condition therefof without requiring an additional resetting operation.

Anotherobject theA provision of a double `pole circuit breaker ofthe above stated type of :generallysimplied construction and operation. The aboveand other objects, features and ad: vantages of' the present invention will be more fully understood from the following description `considered in connection with the accompanying illustrativel drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top viewof a multi-pole circuit breaker pursuant to the present invention, the circuit breaker being in the closed er circuit making condition; I

Fig, 2 is a kside view of the circuit breaker;

Fig. 3 is an end view of the circuit breaker;

Fig. 4 is a view similar tolig, l with the cover- .of' the. circuit breaker housing removfvrd.;A

Figs. 5 and 6. are, sectional views token on the lines .5.-5 and 66, respectively. eil l;

Fie. 7 is a sectional view taken on thev line j1-`I ofFg. 4,'.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 1)?8 of Fig. 5

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 9.-.-9 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 10 is a, fragmentary sectional view taken on the line H1710 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 5, illustrating the disposition of one of the circuit breaking mechanisms immediately after the tripping thereof;

Fig. 12 is a sectional l2-i2ofFig-11i Fig. 13 is a sectional view taken on the line 13e-I3 of Fig. l2;

Fig. l-i is a, view similar to Fig. 5 showing the circuit breaker mechanism in the open condition thereof;

Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 5 illustrating another embodiment of the invention, a portion thereof beine broken away;

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary sectional view taken onthe line IS-.IB of l5; and

Fig. 17- is a fragmentary sectional view, on an enlarged scale. taken on the line Ile-t7 of Referring now to Figs. 1 through 14 in detail, the multifpole circuit breaker 20 of the present invention is provided with the housing or casing 22 which comprises the body part 2l'. and the cover part or closure 2B therefor, said parts being preferably molded from a suitable insulation material, such as, for example and not by way of ,limitation Bakelite As here shown, the body part 2l is provided with an integral portion 2Q (Figs. 6, 8 and 12) upstanding from the bottom thereof andV disposed intermediate the opposing side walls` 3U and 32 of the body part. It will be noted that said portion 2s is disposed parallel to said side Walls and that the ends thereof are spaced from the opposing end walls 34 and 36 of said body part, said portion 28 serving as a partition member and, in cooperation with said side walls 30 and 32, defining within said body part the longitudinally extending fihrmbers 38 and il. At one end of each of said chambers, the body portion is provided with the wire terminals 42 and 44, respectively, each of said terminals being provided with a terminal screw 06 and with thel depending portion t8 (Figs, 5v and 7) which extends into one of sa-id chambers and on which there is provided a stationaryv contact 50. At the other end' thereof, each of said chambers is provided with a terminal 52' provided with a terminal screw 5/4 and a depending portion 5E which extends into view taken on the line each of the chambers 38 and 40, respectively, and,

as each of said mechanisms is similar in construction, a description of one of said mechanisms will be suicient to describe both' of said mechanisms. The circuit breaker mechanism 66 is provided with a movable contact or switch member 68 which comprises the members l and`12, preferably formed vof insulating material, and the conducting member 14. As here shown, the conduct-r 'I ing member i4 is secured between the insulated members and l2 as by the pins or rivets 'i6 and i8, said conducting member extending axially outwardly of said insulated members and being provided with the movable contact 80 at the free end thereof which is engageable with and disengageable from the companion stationary contact 50. The contact member 68 is pivotally mounted between the ends thereof, a transverse pivot pin 82, here shown as a screw threaded member, extending from each ofthe side walls of the body part through the companion movable contact member and into an aperture 84 provided in each of the surfaces of said portion 28 in opposition to said side walls. The conducting portion 14 is provided with an integral Vdepending portion 86 (Fig. 7) on which there is mounted a conducting part 98, said portion 86 being preferably bent over or riveted to said part 88. Part 88 is provided with a downwardly offset portion 90 to which there is welded, :or'otherwise secured, one end of a flexible thermostatic element 62, here shown'as a bimetallic strip, which is secured adjacent the free end 94 thereofv to the other end of the heretofore mentioned flexible conductor 56.

A handle or operating member 96 is provided, this being formed of an insulating material and having securely mounted therein the rigid parts 98 and |00 which together constitute a rigid link |02. As illustrated in Fig.` 8, portions of said parts 68 and |00 are mounted in the handle 96 and are disposed in abutmenttherein, each 'of said parts being provided with a depending portion |04 and |96, respectively, which is oifset laterally outwardly thereof and which extends `outwardly from a cavity |08 (Fig. 6) formed in f the handle. A transverse pivot pin Il@ is disposed in the bearing notches ||2, ||2 which are in registry and are formed in the upper edges of the side walls of the body part, said pin extending through aligned apertures I |4, I4 formed in said depending portions, respectively, for pivotally mounting the handle 96. The cover part -cooperates with the pivot pin ||0 to hold it in place in the bearing notches. A portion of handle 96 extends through an opening ||6 provided therefor in the cover part and through an 4opening I I8 provided instrap 64 in 'registry with said opening H6 so as to be accessible for convenient manual operation. The handle is also provided with the lower portions and |22 which are adapted to contact the partition member 28. More specifically, said member 28 is provided at the top thereof with an integral channel portion |24 (Fig. 8) which is beveled on the ends thereof as at |26 and |28, ythe aforementioned handle parl? |20 contacting the beveled portions |26 and the aforementioned handle porti-on |22 contacting the beveled portions |28 to limit the movement of the operating member in both directions.

The contact members 68 and the operating member 96 are biased for movement toward .their open circuit positions, the biasing of these members being effected by means Vof the springs |36 and |32. Each of said springs is shown as being a coil spring having extending end portions which are entered, respectively, in holes I 34, |34 formed in the movable contact members and in bearing apertures |36, |36 formed in the laterally extending portions |38, |38, respectively, of the handle. The springs tend to open or separate, thus tending to move the contact members 68 in a counterclockwise direction, viewing Fig. 5, and to move the operating member 96 in a clockwise direction.

In order that the operating member 96 may operate the contact members 68 of each of the circuit breaker mechanisms, there is provided a connecting mechanism which includes anr actuator 'or lever |40 on each of the movable contact members. The actuator is pivotally connected with the movable contact member near the end thereof which is remote from the end carrying .the movable contact 80. More specifically, the parts l0 and 12 are each provided with an upwardly extending portion |42, a pivot pin |44 being mounted between said projecting portions and the levers |40 being `mounted for pivotal movement on the respective pins |44.' Said parts I6 'and 'i2 are also respectively provided with the axially extending portion |46, a pin |43 being mounted between said portions |46 and serving as a detent to retain lthe lever against pivotal movement of the lower portion |56 thereof outwardly of the companion movable contact memb-er. The actuator or lever is controlled by means of the aforementioned bimetallic element 92 which is bodily movable with the movable contact member and which serves in and of itself as a latch cooperating directly with the portion |56 of the actuator. A screw |52 which is threaded .through the depending part and the end of flexible member 92 which is secured thereto serves to calibrate the circuit breaker mechanism by regulating the degree of overlap of lever portion |59 relative to end 94 of said bimetallic eiement. A

In order to connect the handle 96 to the levers |46, |40, a link |54 is provided. Said link is preferably formed of insulating material and interengages said levers. More specifically, each of said levers is provided at the upper end thereof with a bearing aperture |56, said link S54 being provided at each end thereof with an axially extending portion |58 of reduced diameter which is engaged in said apertures |56, respectively. Said link is provided also with the portions |66 and |62 of greater diameter and with an intermediate portion |64 therebetween of reduced diameter. The aforementioned depending parts |04 and |06 of the rigid link |62 are each provided with a slotted `portion |66 (Fig. 10), a pivot pin |68 (Fig. 9) extending between said slots |66 and being mounted for movement axially thereofV to constitute a lost-motion connection. Provision is made for biasing said pin |68 in said slots in a direction outwardly of said portions |04 and |06 to provide contact pressure at each pole in' the circuit closed condition of the circuit breaker. In this connection there is provided the spring members |10 and |12 which are disposed in chanmember I 54 toward end wall 34 for pivoting levers |40 in a clockwise direction. As illustrated in Fig. 13, the lever |40 in the `companion `circuit breaker is latched to member 92 in the off position thereof, the lever |40 in the previously overloaded mechanism being disengaged from the companion member 92 in said position, as illustrated in Fig. 14. As handle 96 begins to move to on position, lever |40 in the latter mechanism engages the companion member 92 and the pivotal movement of said levers, resulting from the movement of link |16, rotates both movable contact members 68 into engagement with the companion stationary contacts 50, the toggle being overset by the movement of member 96, as previously described.

The `circuit breaker mechanisms ofthe present invention are of the trip-free type and will open upon the occurrence of an overload in either one or both thereof, even if handle 96 is held in the on. position. As previously described, upon the unlatching of strip 92 from the companion actuator |40 in the overloaded circuit, the spring thereof is effective to rotate the companion movable contact member to disengage the contacts thereof. Due to the pivoting of link |54, the end thereof in the companion circuit breaker tends to move in the same direction as the movable contact member thereof so that the biasing spring thereof is then effective to move the movable contact member and the companion actuator, as one unit, to the circuit-open position.

In the embodiment illustrated in, Fig. 15, 16 and 17, the circuit breaker construction has been modified by substituting the springs |84,

|86 and |98 for the springs |30 and |32, respectively. Sprngs |84 and |86 are spiral springs having the end portions |88 and |90, respectively. Each of said springs |84 and |86 is mounted on a pivot pin I 92 which extends through the movable contact member 68, one end of said pins being disposed in a grooved portion |94 formed in the casing side walls 30 and 32, respectively, and the other end of said pins being disposed in a grooved portion |90 formed in each of the sides of the raised portion 28 confronting said side walls. It will be understood that the closed bottoms of said grooves provide bearing surfaces for said pins |92. Spring |84 in chamber 40 is mounted between the movable contact member thereof and casing portion 28 and the other of said springs in chamber 38 is mounted between the movable 'contact member thereof and the adjacent side wall 32 of the casing, said latter spring having end |88 thereof mounted in the groove 94 formed in the side wall 32 and said former spring having end |88 thereof mounted in a groove |96 formed in said portion 28. The'other end |90, of each of said springs, engages the companion movable contact member 68 extending between the companion insulated portions 10 and 12 thereof, as illustrated. It will be understood that said `springs |84 and |86 bias the movable contact members for rotation in a counterclockwise direction to Ythe open circuit condition thereof. Spring |98 is a handle-return spring and biases the handle to the off position thereof. As here that in the on" position, illustrated in Fig. 15,

8 respects said modied circuit breakers operate substantially in the same manner as the previously described circuit breakers.

Certain of the features disclosed herein are claimed in my copending application Serial No. 234,297, iiled June 29, 1951.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that various changes may be made in the present invention without departing from the underlying idea or principles of the invention within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

l. A multi-pole circuit breaker having a. circuit breaker mechanism for each pole thereof, said mechanisms each having a. movable contact member, actuating means and a exible member bodily carried by and movable with said Contact member and operable to latch said actuating means to the contact member and to unlatch the same by deiiection of the flexible member, said actuating member being pivotally mounted on said contact member and moving relative thereto upon the tripping thereoi` to a predetermined disposition relative to the companion flexible member, and means interconnecting said actuating means to concomitantly move in one operation all of said mechanisms to the closed condition thereof from the tripped disposition thereof.

2. In a multi-pole circuit breakerhaving a circuit breaker mechanism for each pole thereof, said mechanism having a movable contact member, actuating means and a iieXible member bodily carried by and movable with said contact member and operable to latch said actuating means to the contact member and to unlatch the same by deection of the iiexible member, said actuating means being pivotally mounted on said contact member and moving relative thereto upon the tripping thereof to a predetermined disposition relative to the companion flexible member, and means in operative engagement with said actuating member to concomitantly move in one operation all of said mechanisms to the closed condition thereof from the tripped dispo- Sition thereof comprising means interengaging said actuating means, and manually operable means in engagement with said interengaging means for operating the latter to pivot said actuating means into engagement with the companion exible members.

3. In a multi-pole circuit breaker having a circuit breaker mechanism for each pole thereof, said mechanism having a movable contact member, actuating means, and a nexible member bodily carried by and movable with said contact member and operable to latch said actuating means to the contact member and to unlatch the same by deflection of the flexible member, said actuating means being pivotally mounted on said contact member and moving relative thereto upon the tripping thereof to a predetermined disposition relative to the companion flexible member, and means in operative engagement with said actuating means to concomitantly move 1n one operation all of said mechanisms to the closed condition thereof from the tripped disposition thereof comprising means interengaging said actuating means, and manually operable means in engagement with said interengaging means for operating the latter to pivot said actuating means into engagement with the companion iiexible members. said manually operable 9 .comprising .toggle 'means lhaving .one end fin'. Aengagenie'nt .Witnsaid interengaging means, and .a.manual;ly.operable member-'at the Vother .end of .said toggle vfor .overse'tting the latter whereby said toggle is ,operative to move al1 of vsaid actuators into latched engagement with the companion fiexiblemembers for moving said r.contact members to `the l.circuit ,closed condition thereof.. a

4. In a multi-pole circuit 'breaker `having a ,circuit .breaker mechanism .for each pole thereof, said vmechanism .having .,a movable .contact member, actuating means, and a flexible vmember bodily carried by and movable vvith said .contact member and 4Clielf-ableto-latch said actuating .means to the contact member and to unlatch the same .by deection of the ilexible'rn'embeixl said actuating .meanstbeing pivotally ,mounted on said contact member andniovingrelative thereto upon the tripping thereof toapredetermined disposition relative to Athe,companion exible member, and means in pperative engagement with said actuating .means to concomitantly move in one operation -all .of `Asaid mechanisms to the closed condition thereof .from vthe tripped disposition thereof `comprising .means interengaging said actuating Ameans, and manually operable means in engagement Ywith said interengaging means for operating the latch to Vpivot said actuating means intQengagement with the `companion flexible vinemberS, said manually operable means comprising toggle means having one end in engagement with .said interengaging means and va manually operable member atpthe other end oi said toggle :for ,oversetting the latter whereby said-toggle is, ,operative to moveall of said actuators into latched engagement with the companion lflexible gmenrbers Vformcving said contact member to vthe circuit-closed lcondition thereof, said toggle means :comprising rigid link means carried bysaid manuallyfoperable member 'and link means mounted for pivotal resilient `movement therein, .said interengaging means being mounted for pivotal. Amovement on said latter link means.

5. In a multi-,polefeircuit lbreaker having a circuit breaker mechanism 4for Veach pole thereof, said mechanismv having: a movable contact member, actuatingmeans and agflexible member bodily carried by vand movable with said contact member and operable ,to .latch said actuating means o to the contact member and to unlatch the same by deection of 'the 'ilexible member, said actuating means being jpivotally mounted on said contact member and moving relativethereto upa,

on the tripping thereof toa predetermined disposition relative to-the companion flexible member, and meansjin operative engagement with said `actuating means to concomitantly move in one operation all `'of said mechanisms to the closed condition thereof f from the tripped disposition thereof, comprising .means interengaging .said actuating .means, yand .manually operable means in engagement with said Aintertng'auiirlg means for operating-the latter to pivot said actuating means into engagement with the companion flexible members, said manually operable means comprising toggle meanshavingbne Aend in engagement with said interengagingf means and a manually operable memberat the other end vof said toggle for oversetting the latterwhereby Asaid toggle is operative to moveallof said actuators intolatched engagement withr the .companion'ilexible members for movingrsaidjcontactXmembers to the .circuit closed condition,itliere f,Y said toggle 10 means .cmprisins-rsid ,link means Carried by said manually operable member and link means mounted `for pivotal resilient movement therein, said interengaging means being mounted for pivotal movement o n said latter link means, each of said mechanisms being r4biased to the open condition thereof, said toggle means opposing said bias in the closed Vcondition of said mechanisms, and said interengaging means being pivoted by the movement o'fsaid actuating means upon the tripping ofthe mechanism thereof to aid the rst mentioned bias inanother of said mechanisms for .tripping fthe latter.

6. 'In a 'multi-pole circuit breaker, a pair of circuit breakermeehanisma each having a movable switch member, actuating means therefor and a control member operable to latch said actuating `means 'to the switch member and to un'latchthe same upon overload, common means for concomitantly operating' both of said switch members comprisingmeans interconnecting said actuating'means, and' manually operable means -having a connection with said interconnecting 'means for conjoint manual operation of said switch members.

' 7. In a multi-pole circuit breaker, a pair of circuit breaker'mechanisma each having a mov- Iable contactrmember, actuating means pivotally Vmounted thereon anda exible member bodily carried .by and movablewith said contact member and operable to rlatch said actuating means to thecontact member and to unlatch the same by deflection of the flexible member, common means for concomitantly operating both of said actuating means'comprising means linking said .actuatingmeans and manually operable means in operative .engagement with said linking means, said manually' operable means comprising a toggle, ,said linking means being carried `by one end of said toggle. y

V8. VIn a multi-pole circuit breaker, a pair of circuit breaker mechanisms, each having a movable contactmember.'actuating means pivotall;7 mounted thereon, and a exble member bodily carried rby and movable With said contact member and operable to latch said actuating means to the contact member and to u nlatch the same `by deflection of thefflexible member, common means for concomitantly operating both of said actuatingmeans comprising means linking said actuating m'eans and manually operable means in operative engagement with said linking means, .said manually 'operable Ymeans comprising a toggle, said'linking 'meansbeing carried by one Y end of said toggle, saideontact members being biased for .movement from the closed lcondition thereof and said to'g'glejopposing said bias, said linking means being .pivoted upon the tripping of one of saidmechanisms lto aid the rst mentioned bias vthe other ofrsaid mechanisms for tripping the latter.'

9'. Actuating means ifor a multi-pole circuit breaker havingapluraiity of movable contact members normally biased for movement to the k'circuit-open condition thereof, each provided with a' lever pivotally mounted thereon and carryinga flexible member in normal engagement with Vs'aic'l lever to prevent relative pivotal movement, said'actuating means comprising link means resiliently mounted for movement to and from an operative position for biasing said movable members tothe `circuit closed condition,

a and a link member carried for pivotal .movement by lsaid link means, said link member having eachend thereof pivotally engaged .in one of i said levers and being retained necting said actuators Y vice for each movable release movable switch member, means thereby in predetermined disposition relative to said link means in the circuit closed condition and being released for the pivotal movement thereof upon the disengagement of a ilexible member from one of said levers upon the tripping of a companion contact member for pivoting in a direction in opposition to the bias of said resilient link means whereby said first mentioned bias on another of said contact members is effective to trip the latter.

10. A multi-pole circuit breaker having a movable switch member for each pole, an actuator for each movable switch member, a control device for each movable switch member to connect the companion actuator releasably thereto and to disconnect the actuator from the companion movable switch member, means for moving the released movable switch member to circuit-interrupting position, and means interconand operable upon the release of a movable switch member at one of said poles from its actuator under the control of the control device at said one pole to effect movement of a movable switch member at another of said poles to circuit-interrupting position thereof.

1l. A multi-pole circuit breaker having a movable switch member for each pole, an actuator for each movable switch member, a control deswitch member to connect the companion actuator releasably thereto and to disconnect the actuator from the companion movable switch member, means for moving the released movable switch member to circuit-interrupting position, and means interconnecting said actuators and operable upon the of a movable switch member at one of said poles from its actuator under the control of the control device at said one pole to effect movement of a movable switch member at another of said poles to circuit-interrupting position thereof, and manually operable means having a connection with said interconnecting means for conjoint manual operation of said movable switch members.

12. A multi-pole circuit breaker having a movable switch member for each pole, an actuator for each movable switch member, a control device for each movable switch member to connect the companion actuator releasably thereto and to disconnect the actuator from the companion for moving the released movable switch member to circuit-interrupting position, and means interconnecting said actuators and operable upon the release of a movable switch member at one of said poles from its actuator under the control of the control device at said one pole to effect movement of a movable switch member at another of said poles to circuit-interrupting position thereof, and manually operable means having a conj nection with said interconnecting means for operation of said movable conjoint manual switch members, said connection including universal joint means.

13. A multi-pole circuit breaker having a movable switch member for each pole, an actuator for each movable switch member, a control device foreach movable switch member to connect the companion actuator releasably thereto and to disconnect the actuator from the companion movable switch member, means for moving the released movable switch member to circuit-interrupting position, means extending between `movable switch member at nateffefis said poles and operable upon the release of one of said poles from its actuator under the control of the control device at said one pole to eiect movement of a movable switch member at another of said poles to circuit-interrupting position thereof, and spring means acting on each movable switch member to provide contact pressure at each pole in the circuit-closed condition of the circuit breaker. j

14. A multi-pole circuit breaker having a movable switch member for each pole, an actuator for each movable switch member, a controldevice for each movable switch member to connect the companion actuator releasably thereto and to disconnect the actuator from the companion movable switch member, means for moving the released movable switch member to circuit-interrupting position, and means interconnecting said actuators and operable upon release of a movable switch member at one of said poles from its actuator under the control of the control Vdevice at said one pole to effect movement of a movable switch member at another of said poles to circuitinterrupting position thereof, and manually operable means having a connection with said interconnecting means for conjoint manual operation of said movable switch members, said connection including means acting on each movable switch member to provide contact pressure at each pole in the circuit-closed condition of the circuit breaker.

15. A multi-pole circuit breaker having a movable switch member for each pole,van actuator for each movable switch member, a control device for each movable switch member to connect the companion actuator releasably thereto and to disconnect the actuator from the companion movable switch member, means for moving the released movable switch member to circuitinterrupting position, and means interconnecting said actuators and operable upon the release of a movable switch member at one of saidpoles from its actuator under the control of the control device at said one pole to effect movement of a movable switch member at another -of'said poles to circuit-interrupting position thereof, and manually operable means having a connection with said interconnecting means for conjoint manual operation of said movable switch members, said connection including resilient means acting on said actuators and through the latter on said movable switch members.

16. A multi-pole circuit breaker having a movable switch member for each pole, an actuator for each movableswitch member, a control device for each movable switch member to connect the companion actuator releasably thereto and to disconnect the actuator from the companion movable switch member, means for moving the released movable switch member to circuitinterrupting position, and means interconnecting said actuators and operable upon the release of a movable switch member at one of said poles from its actuator under the control of the control device at said one pole to effect movement of a movable switch member at another of said poles 13 contact pressure at eachpole 'in V'tl-1e circuit-closed condition of the circuit breaker.

17. A multi-pole circuit breaker having a movable switch member for each pole, van actuator for each movable switch member, a control device for each movable switch member to connect the companion actuator releasably thereto and to disconnect the actuator from the companion movable switch member, means for moving the released movable switch member to circuit-interrupting position, and means interconnecting said actuators and operable upon the release oi a movable switch member at -one of -said poles from its actuator under the control of the control device at said one pole to effect movement of a movable y Vswitch member at another of said poles to circuitinterrupting position thereof, vand manually operable means having a connection with said interconnecting means lfor conjoint manual operation of said movable -switch members, Vsaidv connection including universal joint means, and resilient means acting on said universal joint means for applying contact pressure for the contacts of each pole when the circuit breaker is closed.

18. A multi-pole circuit breaker having a movable switch member for each pole, an actuator for each movable switch member, a control device for leach movable switch member to connect the companion actuator releasably thereto and to disconnect the actuator from the companion movable switch member, means .for moving the released movable switch member to circuit-interrupting position, and means interconnecting said actuators and operable upon the .release 'of a movable switch member at one kof said .poles from its actuator-under thecontrol-of the control device at said one pole 'to .effect movement of ya movable switch member atanother of said'poles to circuit-interrupting position thereof, and.

vmanually operable means having a connection with said interconnecting means for Iconjoint manual operation of said movable `switch members, 'said connection vincluding universal vjoint means, ra lost motion connection between said manually operable meansand said universal joint means, and resilient means acting on 'said lost motion connection for `applying contact pressure vfor Vthe contacts of each pole when the circuit breaker is closed.

19. A multi-pole circuit rbreakerhaving a movable switch member foreach pole. an actuator for each movable switch member, a control device for each'movable switch member to connect the `companion actuator releasably thereto and to disconnect the actuator from the companion movable switch member, means formoving the 'released movable switch member to circuit-interrupting. position, and means interconnecting said actuators and operable uponrthe vrelease'of a movable switch member at oneof saidV poles from its actuator under the control of thecontroldevice at said one pole to eiect movement of a vmovable switch member atfanother of said poles -to circuit-interrupting position thereof, and manually operable means having-a connection with said interconnecting means for conjointmanual operation of said movable -switch members, said 4connection including link means interconnected lbetween said manually operable means and said interconnecting means.

20. A multi-pole circuit breaker having a movable switch member for each pole, Van actuator 'for each movable switch member, a control delvice for each movable switchmemberto connect the companion actuator releasably 'thereto-land to disconnect the-actuator from thecompanion movable switch member, means for moving vthe released movable switch member to circuit-interrupting position, and means interconnecting said actuators and operable upon the release of a movable switch member at one of said poles kfrom its actuator under the control of the control device at said one pole to eifect movement .of a movable switch member vat another of said poles tocircuit-interrupting position thereof, and manually operable means having a connection with said interconnecting means for conjoint manual operation of said movable switch members, said connection including link means interconnected between said manually operable .means and said interconnecting means, .anda universal joint between said link means and said .interconnecting means.

21. fA-multi-pole circuit breaker .having a movable switch member v.for each .'pole, an actuator for each movable switch member, a control device for each movable switch .member to connect the companion actuator releasably thereto and to disconnect the actuator from the companion movable switch member, .means for moving the released movable switch-member to lcircuit-interrupting position, and means interconnecting said actuators and operable upon the `release of a movable switch member at one 'of said poles from its actuator under the control of the control device at said one -pole to .effect `movement 10i a 'movable switch member at another of said poles to circuit-interrupting position thereof, rand manually 4operable means .having .a connection with said interconnecting `means for conjoint manual operation of said `movablefswitch members, said connection including link means interconnected between said manuallyloperablemeans .and said interconnecting means, and auniversal joint between said link means and said interconnecting means, and resilient Imeans acting .at :the connection between said link means andsaidmanually operable means to provide contact pressure at each pole in the circuit-closed condition of the circuit breaker.

22. A `multi-pole circuit breakerhaving a movable switch member V-for each pole, :an actuator foreach movable'switc'h member, a-control device for each movabler switch member to connect the companion actuator-releasably theretoand to disconnect the actuator Afrom the `companion movable switch member, means for .moving the released movable switch member to circuit-interrupting position,-and.means interconnecting said actuators and operable upontherelease of ra movable switch member at oneof said poles from its actuator under thecontrol-of the .control device at said one pole to `eiect movement of a movable switch'memberlatanother of saidpoles to circuit-interrupting position thereof, and manually voperable means havinga connection with said interconnecting means for conjointmanual operation of said movableswitchmemberssaid.connection including link means interconnected between acca-,94s

x i 'necting said actuators for effecting conjoint operation thereof for closing said mechanisms, manually operable toggle means, and a universal joint connecting said toggle means to said interconnecting means for operation of the latter by said toggle means.

24. Actuating means for a plurality of circuit breaker mechanisms each of which is provided with an actuator, comprising means interconnecting said actuators for effecting conjoint operation thereof for closing said mechanisms, manually operable toggle means, and a universal joint connecting said toggle means to said interconnecting means for operation of the latter by said toggle means, said toggle means being effective when overset to releasably retain said mechanisms in the closed condition thereof, and resilient means acting upon said toggle means for providing contact pressure at said mechanisms, in said closed conditions thereof.

25. In an automatic circuit breaker having a stationary contact, a movable contact member having a contact engageable with and disengageable from said stationary contact, a current responsive latch, an actuator mounted on said contact member and operatively connected thereto, under the control of said latch, for closing the circuit breaker, a movable operating member and a link interconnected between said actuator and said operating member, that improvement which comprises a lost motion connection between said link and said operating member and means operable upon said lost motion connection when said Y actuator is latched to said movable contact member for biasing the latter whereby to provide for proper contact pressure between said contacts in the closed condition of the circuit breaker, said means being a resilient member connected between said lost motion connection and said operating member.

26. In an automatic circuit breaker having a stationary contact, a movable contact member having a contact engageable with and disengageable from said stationary contact, a current responsive latch, and an actuator mounted on said contact member and operatively connected thereto, under the control of said latch, for closing the circuit breaker, that improvement which comprises means coooperating with said actuator to form a toggle which when in overset relationship holds said contact member in its closed circuit position, a pivotal axis of said toggle being constituted by a lost motion connection, and resilient means connected between said operating Y member and said lost motion connection and operable upon the latter when said actuator is latched to said movable contact member for biasing the latter whereby to provide for proper contact pressure between said contacts in the closed condition of the circuit breaker. y

27. In an automatic circuit breaker having a stationary contact, a movable contact member having a contact engageable with and disengageable from said stationary contact, a current responsive latch, an actuator mounted on said contact member and operatively connected thereto, under the control of said latch, for closing the circuit breaker, a movable operating member and a link interconnected between said actuator and said operating member, that improvement which comprises a lost motion connection between said link and said operating member and means operable upon said lost motion connection when said actuator is latched to said movable contact member for biasing the latter whereby to provide for i6 proper contact pressure between said contacts in the closed condition of the vcircuit breaker, said lost motion connection being constituted by a slot defined in said operating member and said link being provided with a part mounted for movement in said slot.

28. In an automatic circuit breaker having a stationary contact, a movable contact member having a contact engageable with and disengageable from said stationary contact, a current responsive latch, an actuator mounted on said contact member and operatively connected thereto, under the control of said latch, for closing the circuit breaker, a movable operating member and a link interconnected between said actuator and said operating member, that improvement which comprises a lost motion connection between said link and said operating member and means operable upon said lost motion connection when said actuator is latched to said movable Contact member for biasing the latter whereby to provide for proper contact pressure between said contacts in the closed condition of the circuit breaker, said lost motion connection being constituted by a slot dened in said operating member and said link being provided with a part mounted for movement in said slot, and said means being a resilient member interconnected between said part and said operating member.

29. In an automatic circuit breaker having a stationary contact, a movable contact member having a contact engageable with and disengageable from said stationary contact, a current responsive latch carried by said movable contact member, an actuator mounted on said contact member and operatively connected thereto, under the control of said latch, for closing the circuit breaker, a pivotally movable operating member,

that improvement which comprises a connection between said actuator and said operating member which includes a lost motion engagement between said operating member and said connection, and resilient means interconnected between said operating member and said lost motion engagement and through said lost motion engagement when said actuator is latched to said movu able contact for biasing the latter -whereby to provide for proper contact pressure between said contacts in the closed condition of the circuit breaker.

30. Actuating mechanism for a pair of companion automatic circuit breakers comprising an actuator for each circuit breaker for effecting manual operation of the associated breaker to circuit making and circuit interrupting conditions thereof, a universal joint interconnected between said actuators, and a manually operable member connected to said joint for concomittant manual operation of said actuators, whereby to effect concomittant manual operation of Said circuit breakers for making and interrupting the circuits, respectively, thereof.

31. A multi-pole circuit breaker having a movable contact member for each pole, an actuator for each movable contact member, a control device ior each movable contact member to connect the companion actuator releasably thereto and to disconnect the actuator from the companion movable contact member, means for moving the released contact member to circuit-interrupting position, and universal joint means interconnected between said actuators and operable upon release of one of said movable contact members from its actuator under the control of the control device at one pole to eect movement of 17 a contact member at another of said poles to its circuit-interrupting position.

32. A multi-pole circuit breaker having a movable contact member for each pole, an actuator for each movable contact member, a control device for each movable contact member to connect the companion actuator releasably thereto and to disconnect the actuator from the companion movable contact member, means for moving the released contact member to circuit-intel'- rupting position, and universal joint means interconnected between said actuators and operable upon release of one of said movable contact members from its actuator under the control of the control device at one pole to eiect movement of a contact member at another of said poles to its circuit-interrupting position, and manually operable means connected to said universal joint -Ineans for conjoint manual operation of the movable contact members.

33. A multi-pole circuit breaker having a movable contact member for each pole, an actuator for each movable contact member, a control device or each movable contact member to connect the companion actuator releasably thereto and to disconnect the actuator from the companion movable contact member, means for moving the released contact member to circuit-inter- 18 rupting position, and means interconnected -between said actuators and operable upon release of one of said movable contact members from its actuator under the control of the control device at one pole to effect movement of a contact member at another of said poles to its circuit-interrupting position, and manually operable means connected to said interconnected means for conjoint manual operation of the movable Contact members, said connection of the manually operable means to said interconnected means having provision for acting on each movable contact member to provide contact pressure at each pole in the circuit-closed condition of the circuit breaker.

PAUL M. CHRISTENSEN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,096,544 Jackson Oct. 19, 1987 2,096,548 Jackson Oct. 19, 1937 2,209,351 Sachs July 39, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 728,614 Germany Nov. 30, 1942 

